Author's Note; I don't own ANY of this. I'm just a huge fan of Rachel Caine, and I've taken the liberty to write my own version of a story. Enjoy. =D

Chapter 1; Surprises.

Okay, today was a bad day. No, not bad. Horrific. Irritating. My personal hell-hole on Earth, to put it simply. Hot, angry tears were sliding down my face as I knelt on the ground, snatching up all my books and papers and replacing them in my bag. I waited for Eve to come get me as I continued to sit there on the ground, trying to calm myself. I hurt all over, my head was hurting, and that usually meant I was getting sick. Perfect. I'd managed to stay healthy while I was in Morganville, Texas so far, and I had to get sick now?! As soon as I got back to the Glass House, I would curl up in bed, and hopefully sleep until noon tomorrow. No way was I going to class feeling like this, and it would probably be ten times worse tomorrow, anyways.

I looked up with a weak smile, scrubbing at my face with the heel of my hand. "Hey, Shane. Before you ask, I'm fine. I'm just a little sick, that's all." Standing up, I picked up my backpack, than shoved it into the backseat of the car. "Can we just go home? I really, really don't feel good…." I whispered the last sentence, crawling into the seat before leaning my head against the dashboard. I looked up to glance at him, and instantly regretted that decision.

Shane looked horrified, which was typical behavior for him where I was concerned. "What's wrong?" He asked, his worry leaking through as he watched her with concerned-filled eyes. "Did Monica or Gina or Jen do something to you? I swear to God if they did…."

"Shane! I'm just sick, okay? I used to get sick all the time when I lived at home. I will be fine." I said reassuringly, closing my eyes. "Just… get us home fast so I can go past out in my room." I moaned a little at the aching pain in my head. Christ, it felt like someone was bashing my head in with a baseball bat or something.

"Alright…" He said, his brow furrowing a little as he placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, then stepped on the gas pedal. He kept glancing at her, concern still clear on his face. "We're here." He said abruptly, five minutes later.

"Good." I said distantly, grabbing my backpack with one hand and jerking it into the front seat. I stepped out of the car, then let out a small groan. Darkness covered my eyes, and then I was gone, underneath a wave of blessed, numb relief.

Getting out of the numbness was not fun. My roomates were crowded around me, freaking out. I knew within a few moments where I was and what had happened. My fainting spells always scared my Mom and Dad, too. "Guys, chill, I'm fine." I was aware how irritated my voice sounded, but that didn't really bother me. "Seriously! Leave me alone! I have a kick-ass headache, and I want something to eat so I can take some friggin' medicine!"

"Wow... and I thought I was bitchy." Eve snickered, breaking the awkward silence. "Jeez, Claire Bear, we're just worried about you. I mean, God, you fainted when you got out of the car. Of course we're worried about you, dumb-ass!"

Michael looked bewildered. "I guess you really aren't feeling good." He muttered, mollified. "You aren't fine, Claire. Shane said he found you on the ground, crying. You can't be feeling to great if you were crying, Claire. We're not stupid, so don't treat us like we are. It's kinda obvious that you aren't feeling good, kid."

Shane was silent, holding onto my hand and tracing patterns on my skin very lightly, with the tip of his index finger. "You scared me out there," He said softly, still looking down.

Eve and Michael had managed to disappear so we could have our little discussion.

"Shane, I'm fine, I promise..." I told him, curling into a small ball. "I get sick a lot. I'm used to it; I swear. I don't want you to worry about me, okay? You have no idea how many times I've gotten sick before. It's sort of like a second nature for me. You just get used to it as time goes on."

He looked up at me, his eyes filled with worry, and love. "Look, Claire, you need to listen to me, okay? I'm not going to quit worrying until you get better. I don't like seeing you cry, and I sure as hell don't like you being sick. Do you know how scared I felt when you fainted on the sidewalk? No, you don't. And it isn't going to get better for me as time goes on. Everytime I see you like that, ever again, it's going to be the same. Ill be afraid. I love you to much to see you in any kind of pain, Claire. Even if it's just being sick." Shane leaned down, presing his warm, damp, silky lips to my forehead, leaving them there for a few quiet moments before pulling away. "After you eat, you're going to bed." He informed me, grinning a bit. "I hope you don't mind sharing your bed with me, though. I don't plan on leaving you alone for a minute, jail bait."

I glowered at Shane for a moment as Eve and Michael brought in a bowl loaded down with chili. Typical. Ah, but there was a coke, and Tylonol beside that. Maybe, just maybe that numbness would come back for a little while...

Well, that's it for now. It isn't much, I know, but that's the first Chapter. Leave me love, my chillins!

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